Method and apparatus for automatically capping carton with lids

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for automatically, selectively recovering lids from a lid source and capping cartons with said lids.

limited tates Patent Thompson et al.

[451 Oct. 15,1974

METHOD D" APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CAPPING CARTON wnrn ups Inventors: James K. Thompson; Melvin R.

Harrell, both of Kansas City, Mo.

Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company, Bartlesville, Okla.

Filed: Feb. 28, 1973 Appl. No.: 336,474

US. Cl 53/38, 53/52, 53/64, 53/168, 53/389 .lnt. CL... B651) 7/00, B65b 65/08, B65b 41/00 Field of Search 53/37, 38,52, 64, 68, 53/69, 70, 71, 168, 389

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Ncwcym. 53/64 Hansen 53/38 Anderson .1 53/37 Roberts ct a1. 53/38 Harmon 53/38 Hamlin l 53/70 Ahlers 53/64 Primary ExaminerHarrison L. Hinson ABSTRACT An apparatus and method for automatically, selectively recovering lids from a lid source and capping cartons with said lids.

22 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures (SPRING RETURN) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CAPPING CARTON WITH LIDS It is desirable to provide an apparatus and method whereby lids can be automatically, selectively recovered from a lid source and controllably placed over cartons for capping said cartons. In addition; it is desirable to provide an apparatus and method for capping cartons whereby forces exerted on the lids and cartons are relatively small thereby preventing damage to the cartons and lids during the capping operation and thereby preventing waste.

Other aspects, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a study of the disclosure, the appended claims, and the drawings.

The drawings are diagrammatic views of the apparatus of this invention. FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the apparatus and the controls thereof; FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the automatic element of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the lid boxtable assembly of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a plan view of the lid gate assembly of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a view of the lidrake assembly of FIG. 1; and FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of the apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 1, a pneumatic element 2 is verti cally positioned above a first location at which location lids 4 will be recovered by said element 2.

The pneumatic element 2 has a vacuum cup 6 connected at a first or lowermost end thereof. The cup 6 is movable between a retracted position (shown) at which the cap 6 is at a first elevation of the first location and an extended position at which the cup 6 is at one of a plurality of elevations above the first location. The plurality of elevations are each lower in elevation than the first elevation and will be later more fully described with reference to the operation of said element 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the pneumatic element 2 is elongated and generally vertically positioned. A pneumatic cylinder 8. of the element 2 has a movable piston 10 and a plunger 12 connected to the piston 10 and downwardly extending therefrom.

An air valve 14 is sealably connected to the lower end of the pneumatic cylinder 8 and extends downwardly therefrom with the plunger 12 of the pneumatic cylinder 8 extending with a housing 16 of the air valve 14.

The housing 16 of the air valve 14 has first and second end portions 18,20. The first end portion 18 of the housing 16 is connected to the pneumatic cylinder 8. A vacuum suction port 22 extends through the second end portion of the housing 16 and a discharge port or vent 24 extends through the second end portion 20 at a location adjacent and above the vacuum suction port 22.

A selection plunger 26 is movably positioned within the housing 16. The plunger 26 is connected to the plunger 12 via coupling 28. Coupling 28 is a limited movement coupling which permits limited axial movement of selection plunger 26 relative to plunger 12. The length of the free axial movement provided by the coupling 28 is preferably in the range of about inch to about 5: inch, preferably about V4 inch.

The selection plunger 26 has flrstand second end portions 30,32. The first end portion 30 is connected to the coupling 28 and the second end portion 32 extends downwardly from the housing 16 with portions thereof extending downwardly from housing 16 into a vacuum cylinder 34.

The selection plunger 26 has a fluid passageway 36 extending along the second end portion 32 thereof and opening on a side and at a lower end 38 of the plunger 26.

The vacuum cylinder 34 has first and second end portions 40,42. The first end portion 40 is seatably connected to the second end portion 20 of the housing 16 of the air valve 14 and extends downwardly therefrom with a portion of the selection plunger 26 extending downwardly from the housing 16 within the vacuum cylinder 34. The vacuum cylinder 34 has a fluid port 142 and a second end portion 42: which will be later more fully described.

The piston 46 is positioned within the vacuum cylinder 34 and is movable therethrough. A vacuum tube 48 has first and second end portions 50,52 and is positioned within the cylinder 34. The first end portion 50 of the tube 48 extends through and is seatably, fixedly attached to the piston 46 of the vacuum cylinder 34. The second end portion 52 of the vacuum tube 48 extends through and downwardly from the vacuum cylinder 34. The portion of the second end portion 52 of the vacuum tube 48 which is maintained below the vacuum cylinder 34 extends through and is seatably, fixedly attached to a wall of the vacuum cup 6 for forming a vacuum between the cup 6 and a lid 4 in the operation thereof.

A first annular sealing means 56 is fixedly positioned in the second end portion of the vacuum cylinder 34 for sealing the annulus between the vacuum cylinder 34 and the vacuum tube 48 at a lower end portion of said cylinder 34 while permitting movement of the vacuum tube 48 through the vacuum cylinder 34.

A second annular sealing means 54 is fixedly positioned in the housing 16 of the air valve 14 at a location between the ports 22 and 24 for sealing the annulus formed between the housing 16 and the selection plunger 26 while permitting movement of the selection plunger 26 through the housing 16.

The housing 16 and the second end portion 32 of the selection plunger 26 are each of a configuration for providing an annulus '13 therebetween which annulus is in communication with the vacuum suction port 22 and the annulus between the vacuum cylinder 34 and the suction plunger 26 at a location higher in elevation than the piston 46 of the vacuum cylinder 34 as will be later more fully described.

A pneumatic cylinder has fluid control lines connected thereto and to a fluid source (not shown) for extension and retraction of the plunger 12 in response to movement of the piston 10 as known in the art. Solenoid valves 62,64 are associated with the respective control lines for controlling the passage of fluid to the pneumatic cylinder 8.

A limit switch 66 is associated with the selection plunger 26 for actuation delivery of a control signal in response to said plunger 26 moving upwardly in the housing 16 to a preselected elevation to be later more fully described.

A spring return solenoid valve 68 can be associated with the fluid port 142 for venting the annulus between the piston 46 and the vacuum cylinder 34 to the atmosphere in response to a received signal. Port 142 can have two sources of pressured air and dows not necessarily vent the annulus between piston 46 and vacuum cylinder 34. In this case, solenoid valve 68 supplies presure air to retract vacuum tube 48 for indexing of the lid box. Solenoid valve 62 then can supply air to the annulus as an added insurance to hold the vacuum tube 48 in the retracted or up position and add a more positive action in releasing the lid. These two pressure sources can be connected to a common fitting which in turn is connected'to a quick exhaust valve. The exhaust from the quick exhaust valve can be vented through a check valve. The exhaust, check valve, combination then limits the vacuum tube 48 speed in the raise direction while it allows the tube to drop freely.

A limit switch 70 with actuating plunger 44 is positioned at the lower end of the vacuum cylinder 34 and is actuatable by first end portion 30 and delivers a signal in response to the vacuum cup 60 descending to a preselected elevation.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a controllably movable lid box table 72 is positioned at a location beneath the vacuum cup 6. The lid box table 72 is movable for indexing preselected locations on the table to the first location beneath the vacuum cup 6. The table 72 is slidably connected to a frame 74. Preferably the frame 74 has at least first and second guide rods 76,78 each connected-to and extending along respective first and second ends of the frame 74. At least first and second supporting rods 80,82 extend between the guide rods 76,78 and are slidably connected thereto for slidable movementtherealong. The lid box table 72 is slidably connected to the supporting rods 80,82 for slidable movement of the table 72 therealong. It should be understood that the lid box table 72 can be constructed differently so long as the table 72 is idexical to move preselected portions of the table to the first location beneath the cup 6. In this indexing construction, a box of lid stacks A, B, C, D, E, F, for example, and as shown in FIG. 1, can be controllably indexed to the first location for depleting each stack in the operation of the apparatus aswill be later more fully described.

The means for controllably indexing the table 72 is best shown in FIG. 1. A cylinder 84 has its plunger connected to the table 72. The cylinder 84 has a solenoid valve 86 associated therewith for controlling fluid passing through the cylinder 84 and resultant movement of the table in one direction. A pair of cylinders 88,90 are axially connected one to the other. The first cylinder 88 has its plunger anchored to the frame 74 and the other cylinder 90 has its plunger connected at right angle to cylinder 84 for moving the table in a direction about 90 relative to the direction of movement of the table by cylinder 84. Solenoid valves 92 and 94 are associated with respective cylinders 88,90 for separately controlling fluid passing to their respective cylinders and resultant movement of the table 72 in said other direction.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, a lid gate assembly 96 is positioned between the pneumatic element 2 and the lid box table 72 at a location adjacent the cup 6 in a retracted position of the vacuum tube 48. The lid gate 96 ismovable between an open position as shown in FIG. 4 and a closed position shown by broken lines in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 1, the lid gates 96 are connected to a cylinder 98 which is associated with a solenoid valve 100 for controlling passage of the fluid to and from the cylinders 98 and a resultant movement of the gate 96 in response to a received signal. A limit switch 102 is associated with the gate 96 and is actuated and delivers a signal in response to said gates 96 reaching a closed position.

A lid rake 104 is positioned adjacent the upper surface of the lid gate 96 and is movable between an extended position over the lid gate 96 and a retracted position at which the rake 104 is laterally spaced from the gate 96 for moving a lid 4 from a resting position on the lid gate 96 into a lid chute 106 which is laterally spaced from the lid gate 96. A lid rake cylinder 108 is connected to the rake 104 and has a solenoid valve 110 associated therewith for controlling the passage of fluid into and from the cylinder and movement of the rake in response to a received signal.

A one-way limit switch 1 l2 and a limit switch 1 14 are associated with the lid rake cylinder 108 for delivering signals in response to the plunger of the cylinder and the associated rake 104 being in a preselected position. Limit switch 112 is actuated and delivers a signal in response to the cylinder 108 being extended and the rake 104 being over the gate 96 and limit switch 114 is actuated and delivers a signal in response to the cylinder 108 being fully retracted and the rake 104 being laterally spaced from the gate 96.

The lid chute 106 has a length sufficient to maintain a preselected plurality of lids 4 therewithin with said chute positioned lids forming a single row. The lid chute 106 has an outlet positioned adjacent and at a higher elevation than the filled container conveyor 118. The outlet portion of the chute is angled down wardly relative to the container conveyor 118 and is directed in a direction substantially 90 relative to the conveyor 118.

A pushing element 120 is positioned beneath the outlet of the chute 106 and is connected to a cylinder 122 which is aligned for extending the pusher element 120 at about 90 relative to the conveyor 118 and thereby contacting and moving a filled container 124 laterally into contact with a lid 4 in the chute 106 for wiping a lid 4 onto container 124 and thereby capping said container.

A solenoid valve 128 is associated with the cylinder 122 for passing fluid into and out of the cylinder 122 and moving the pushing element 120 in response to a received signal.

A limit switch 130 and a limit switch 132 are associated with cylinder 122. Limit switch 132 is actuated and delivers a signal in response to the pushing element 120 being retracted by the cylider 122 and limit switch 130 is actuated and delivers a signal in response to the pushing element 120 being in the extended position.

A limit switch 130 is positioned adjacent containers 7 124 on the conveyor 118 and the chute 106. The limit switch 130 is actuated and delivers a signal in response to the pushing element 120 being in the extended position- A limit switch 134 is positioned adjacent containers 124 on the conveyor 118 and the chute 106. The limit switch 134 is actuated and delivers a signal in response to being contacted by container 124 at its location adjacent the opening of the chute 106.

A limit switch 126 is associated with the outlet of the chute 106 and delivers a signal in response to a lid 4 extending downwardly from the opening of the chute 106 in a lid pickup position which in turn is responsive to the chute 106 being filled with lids 4.

A cylinder 136 having a solenoid valve 138 is associated with means such as a holding arm 140. The cylinder 136 moves the holding arm 140 into contact with containers on the container conveyor 118 in response to its solenoid valve 138 receiving a signal.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, in the automatic capping operation of the apparatus of this invention, a series of filled containers 124 are positioned on the container conveyor 118 and a box of lid stacks A-F are positioned on the lid box table 72. To initiate operations, line switch SW-1 and conveyor motor switch SW-2 are closed and start button PB-l is momentarily depressed.

Closing of start button PB-l actuates solenoid valves 62 and 64 and cylinder 8 is retracted in response thereto. Retraction of cylinder 8 raises a selection plunger 26 to a position spaced from the piston 46 and vacuum tube 48 which relieves the vacuum above piston 46 by communicating the annulus above the piston 46 with the atmosphere through vacuum tube 48. Relief of the vacuum above piston 46 causes vacuum tube 48 to gravatationally descend into the lid box which is resting on the lid box table 72. The vacuum table 48 descends into contact with a lid 4 which terminates communication of the annulus above piston 42 with the atmosphere owing to the fact that the vacuum cup 6 on the vacuum tube 48 seals against the lid 4. A vacuum then develops in the annulus above piston 46 which causes the vacuum tube 48' with the lid attached thereto to be lifted.

Since solenoid valve 64 has a spring return and start button PB-l is only momentarily depressed by the operator, said valve 64 is actuated on release of PB-l and cylinder 8 is fully extended in response thereto. Extending of cylinder 8 causes the selection plunger 26 to be positioned at a location at which the vacuum tube 48 when returned by the vacuum above its piston 46 will be contacted and sealed by plunger 26 thereby holding the vacuum on the lid 4 and thereby maintaining the lid 4 on the vacuum cup.

Owing to the fact that coupling 28 pennits preferably about 54 inch axial movement of the selection plunger 26 relative to the plunger 12 of the pneumatic cylinder 8, the vacuum tube 48 continues to ascend about inch after a seal develops between the vacuum tube 48 and the selection plunger 26. This upward movement of 14 inch as provided by the coupling construction causes contact and actuation of limit switch 66.

Interval timer HT is actuated in response to a signal received from the limit switch 66. After a time interval, preferably about A second, the contacts of the interval timer l-IT return to their normally open position.

During the closing of the contacts of interval timer l-lT, control relay l-CR is actuated and seals itself in through the normally closed contact of limit switch 1 14 and now closed contact l-CR. The closing of normally open contact l-CR actuates solenoid valve 100 which in turn actuates cylinder 98 for closing the lid gate 96 in response thereto.

Closing of the lid gate 96 actuates limit switch 102 which delivers a signal and actuates solenoid valve 62 which in conjunction with solenoid valve 64 causes pneumatic cylinder 8 to be vented, releases forces on the selection plunger 26, and permits the vacuum tube 48 to raise the selection plunger 26 a location at which the port on the side of the selection plunger 26 is in communication with discahrge port 24 thereby releas the vacuum tube 48 through annulus 13, said vacuum tube 48 is maintained at this elevated position.

Closing of the limit switch 102 also causes an actuating signal to be delivered to solenoid valve 110 through the normally closed contacts of controller relays CR-2 and CR5 which causes the lid rake cylinder 108 to retract the rake the lid 4 from the closed lid gate 96 into the lid chute 106. Upon full retraction of the cylinder 108 and associated lid rake 96, limit switch 114 is momentarily opened. Opening limit switch 114 breaks the circuit through control relay I-CR and in response thereto signals are delivered to solenoid valves and thereby causing the lid rake 104 to be returned to its normal extended position and lid gate 96 to be opened in response thereto.

As the lid rake 104 returns to its normal position above the first location, limit switch 112 is actuated. Since limit switch 112 is in parallel with start switch PB-l, solenoid valves 62 and 64 are actuated through a normally closed contact of control relay 3-CR to cause pneumatic cylinder 8 to move the selection plunger 26 from contact with the piston 46 and vacuum tube 48 thereby initiating a new pickup cycle.

This sequence of operation continues until the lid chute 106 is filled with lids which causes one lid to extend into the pickup position of the lid chute actuating limit switch 126 or the sequence is continued until the vacuum tube 48 descends a sufficient distance downwardly to actuate limit switch 70. The vacuum tube 48 descends to a lowermost location for actuation of limit switch 70 only when the stack of lids positioned at the first location is depleted.

In the situation where the lid chute 106 is full and limit switch 126 is actuated, control relay CR-S is actuated in response to a signal delivered by limit switch 126. Actuation of control relay CR-S causes normally closed contact 5-CR to be opened. Contact S-CR is in series with solenoid valve 110; therefore, breaking of the circuit prevents lid rake cylinder 108 from retracting and raking a lid into lid chute 106 when limit switch 102 is closed.

In this construction, when the lid chute 106 is filled, operation of the pneumatic element 2 is terminated with the vacuum tube 48 in the full up position, the lid rake 104 in its normally full extended position over a lid resting on closed lid gate 96.

The closing of limit switch 126 delivers a signal responsive to a lid 4 being positioned in the chute 106 at a location for delivery onto a tilled container 124. Control relay CR-S is actuated in response to the closing of limit switch 126. Actuation of control relay CR-S closes contact S-CR which is in series with limit switch 134. If a filled container is in position for capping, limit switch 134 is closed which energizes solenoid valves 128 and 138. Actuation of solenoid valve 138 causes cylinder 136 and associated holding arm to be extended to prevent the container conveyor 118 from feeding additional containers 124 to the capping station. Actuation of solenoid valve 128 causes cylinder 122 to force a container 124 past the end of the lid chute 106 for pressing a lid 4 onto the container and moving the capped container onto a take-away conveyor (not shown).

The fully extended position of cylinder 122 and pushing element 120 causes limit switch 130 to be closed which causes solenoid valve 128 to be actuated with resultant retraction of cylinder 122. Movement of cylinder 122 toward the fully retracted position actuates one-way limit switch 132 which in turn energizes solenoid valve 138 resulting in retraction of cylinder 136 thereby freeing the conveyor 118 to supply another filled container 124 to the capping station. When the container 124 moves from the conveyor 118 to the capping station, said container actuates limit switch 134 which initiates a new capping cycle if the lid chute 106 is full and limit switch 126 is closed.

Each time a lid 4 is removed from the stack of lids, the vacuum tube 48 drops lower into the lid box to contact the next lid 4. After the last lid of a stack has been picked up and fed into the lid chute 106, on the next cycle, the vacuum tube drops but does not contact the lid and extends fully thus closing limit switch 70. Closing limit switch 70 energizes spring return solenoid valve 68 supplying air under pressure to the underside of the piston 46 of the vacuum cylinder 34 via port 142 and causes the vacuum tube 48 to rise. Closing limit switch 70 also energizes relay 2-CR, through normally closed contact 2-TR, and the time delay relay 2-TR. Control relay Z-CR opens contacts 2-CR in series with solenoid valve 110 thereby preventing solenoid valve 110 from retracting lid rake cylinder 108. Contacts 2-CR are in parallel with limit switch 70 and are closed to lock the control relay 2-CR and 2-TR thereby preventing them from being deenergized when the vacuum tube 22 starts to rise opening limit switch 70. When the vacuum rod being forced up by pressure supplied by solenoid valve 68 reaches the top of its stroke, switch 66 is closed.

Closing limit switch 66 energizes interval timer 1-IT for V2 second resulting in the closing of contacts 1-lT and energizing of control relay l-CR which closes contacts l -CR in series with closed contacts 2-CR in parallel with limit switch 70 thereby energizing a ratchet relay RR. Each energization of the ratchet relay RR closes in sequence one of the contacts RR-l, RR-2, RR-3, RR-4, RR-S, or RR-6. Assuming the lid box table 72 had been in its home position initially, the closing of the ratchet relay RR would close contacts RR-l which energizes solenoid valve 86 resulting in extending cylinder 84 and positioning a new stack of lids beneath the vacuum tube 48. This indexing operation occurs within a 2 second time interval provided by time delay 2-TR which opens the normally closed contact 2-TR at the end of the 2 second delay. Contacts 2-TR of time delay relay 2-TR are closed. When contact 2-TR opens, control relay 2-CR is deenergized resulting in opening of contacts 2-CR in parallel with limit switch 70. Deenergizing control relay 2-CR allows normally closed contacts 2-CR in series with normally closed contact S-CR and solenoid valve 110 to close causing the lid rake 104 to be operated as previously explained initiating a new cycle. 1

When the second stack B of lids is exhausted and the ratchet relay RR is again energized as described above, contacts RR-l are opened and contacts RR-2 are closed thereby energizing solenoid valve 92 resulting in extending cylinder 88 and positioning a new stack C of covers beneath the vacuum tube 48. When this third stack C of covers is exhausted and ratchet relay RR energized, contacts RR-2 are opened and RR-3 are closed thereby energizing solenoid valve 86 to retract cylinder 84 and position the fourth stack D beneath the vacuum tube 48. On depletion of the fourth stack D and energizing of the ratchet relay RR contacts RR-3 are open and RR-4 are closed energizing the solenoid valve 94 and extending cylinder 90 to position the fifth stack E of lids at the first position below the vacuum tube 48. When stack E is gone and ratchet relay RR energizes, contacts RR-4 are opened and contacts RR-S are closed, thereby energizing solenoid valve 86 to extend cylinder 84 and position the fifth stack F of lids beneath the vacuum tube 48. On depletion of this last stack F, for example, the ratchet relay RR is energized opening RR-S and closing RR-6. RR-6 energizes control relay 3-CR closing contacts 3-CR in series with solenoid valve 86 to retract cylinder 84. RR-6 also energizes solenoid valve 92 to retract cylinder 88 and solenoid valve 94 to retract cylinder 90 thereby bringing the lid of box table 72 to its home position. Contacts 3-CR in series with normally closed contacts 4-CR energize a buzzer. Also, normally closed contacts 3-CR in series with limit switch 112 are opened to prevent the start of a new cycle when the rake returns and momentarily actuates limit switch 112. The buzzer is deactuated by pressing pushbutton switch PB-2 which energizes control relay 4-CR opening normally closed contacts 4-CR in series with the buzzer and closing normally open contacts 4-CR, thereby locking in the control relay 4-CR. A new box of lids 4 is then placed on the lid box table 72 and the machine started again by pressing the start switch PB-l. While in the home position, control relays 3-CR and 4-CR are energized and normally closed contacts 3-CR in series with limit switch 1 12 are open and normally open contacts 4-CR in series with limit switch 112 and in parallel with contact 3-CR are closed, thereby allowing the machine to continue its automatic cycling each time that limit switch 112 is momentarily contacted.

The pickup cycle is initiated when pneumatic cylinder 8 is fully retracted resulting from the momentary actuation of limit switch 112 by the lid rake 104. The piston of the pneumatic cylinder raises the selection plunger 26 out of contact with the vacuum cylinder piston 46 and aligns the passageway 36 with a discharge port 24 opening in the housing 16 of the selection plunger 26 for passing atmospheric air pressure into the space above the piston 46 through the port 24 and the passageway 36 as well as through the vacuum tube 48. The lower side of the piston 46 is vented to atmosphere through a port 142 in the lower end of the vacuum cylinder 34 in communication with solenoid valve 68. There being no differential pressure to hold the vacuum cylinder 46 and vacuum tube 48 in the up position, they fall by gravity until the vacuum cup 6 on the end of the vacuum tube 48 comes in contact with lid 4. When limit switch 112 was open following its momentary closing by the rake mechanism, solenoid valve 64 returns to its normal position causing pneumatic cylinder 8 to be fully extended and the selection plunger 26 to fall to its lowermost position where it is stopped by the coupling 28 with its upper face approximately A inch from the lower face of the piston 10 and with its passageway 36 aligned with a suction port 22 of housing 16. When the vacuum cup 6 on the lower end of the vacuum tube 48 contacts the lid thereby closing off the end of the vacuum tube 48, the pressure on the upper side of the vacuum piston 46 is reduced by a vacuum pump to a value where atmospheric air pressure available to the lower side of the piston 46 through solenoid valve 68 forces the piston 46, the vacuum tube 48, and the lid 4 to rise. The piston 46 then contacts the lower end of the selection plunger 26 forcing the plunger 26 upwardly until its upper face. contacts the lower face of the piston of pneumatic cylinder 8 through coupling 28 thereby actuating limit switch 66. Limit switch 66 signals the lid gate 96 to close. Upon closing of the gate 96 limit switch 102 is actuated which energizes solenoid valve 62 thereby causing both sides of the piston 10 to be vented to the atmosphere. The vacuum has been maintained inside the vacuum tube 48 through the passageway in the selection plunger 26 which is in communication with the selection port 22. Neutralization of the pneumatic cylinder 8 allows the piston 46to rise further in the vacuum cylinder 34 thus pushing the selection plunger 26 upwardly until its passageway 36 is in communication with the vent port 24. The inside of the vacuum tube 48 is thus vented to atmosphere allowing the lid 4 to fall free from the vacuum cup 6 on the bottom of the vacuum tube 38 and drop into the cover gate 96. Piston 46 remains in this uppermost position until the selection plunger 26 is moved upwardly by pneumatic cylinder 8 thereb breaking contact and seal of the selection plunger 26 with the piston 46 and allowing atmospheric pressure to communicate with the space above the piston 46.

Other modifications and alterations of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing discussion and accompanying drawings, and it should be understood that this invention is not to be unduly limited thereto.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for automatically removing lids from a plurality of lid stacks and capping cartons with the lids, comprising:

first means for moving a lid from a first location in responseto a received signal A" and depositing said lid at a second location in response to a received signal B, said second location being at a higher elevation and above the first location;

second means for indexing a lid stack to the first location in response to a received signal C;

third means for moving a lid from the second location into a lid chute and moving lids along the chute in response thereto, said lid being moved in response to a received signal D;" fourth means for capping a carton with a lid from the chute in response to a received signal E; and means for transmitting said signals in response to preselected conditions.

2. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the signal A is delivered to the first means in response to a filled container being capped with a lid from the chute and signal B is delivered to the first means in response to closing of a movable lid gate positioned at the second location.

3. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the movable lid gate is closed in response to the first means moving a lid to a preselected elevation above the first location.

4. An apparatus, as set forth in claim I, wherein signal C is delivered to the second means in response to a vacuum cup of the first means descending to a pre selected elevation at the first location.

5. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein signal D is delivered to the third means in response to the frst means moving a lid to a preselected elevation above the first location and the lid chute being less than filled with lids.

6. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein signal E is delivered to the fourth means in response to a filled container being positioned at a capping station and the lid chute being filled with lids. i i i 7. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first means comprises:

a hydraulic cylinder having a movable plunger extending downwardly therefrom;

an air valve having a movable selection plunger, said plunger being connected to the plunger of the hydraulic cylinder and extending downwardly therefrom;

a vacuum cylinder connected to and extending downwardly from the air valve, said vacuum cylinder having a movable piston with a vacuum tube extending through and being sealably, fixedly attached to the vacuum cylinder piston and extending downwardly from the vacuum cylinder;

a vacuum cup connected to the lowermost end of the vacuum tube and being in fluid communication therewith;

means for passing fluid into and from the hydraulic cylinder for moving the hydraulic cylinder plunger;

means for passing fluid into and from the vacuum cylinder for picking up a lid from the first location and depositing the lid at the second location;

means for delivering a signal in response to the vacuum tube moving a lid to a preselected elevation;

means for delivering a signal in response to the vacuum cup descending to a preselected elevation; and

means for passing fluid into and from the vacuum cylinder for moving the vacuum tube therethrough.

8. An apparatus, as set forth in claim I, wherein the second means comprises:

a movable lid box table for supporting a plurality of lid stacks thereon;

a frame;

means for guiding the lid box along a preselected pathway relative to the first location;

hydraulic means connected to the lid box table for moving the lid box along the preselected pathway; and

control means for actuating the hydraulic means and moving the lid box table along the preselected pathway in response to a received signal.

9. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 8, wherein the lid table is indexed along the preselected pathway in 'responseto a signal received in response to the vacuum cup descending to a preselected elevation.

10. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, including a movable lid gate positioned at the second location, said lid gate being movable between an open position at which the gate is laterally spaced from a pathway of a cup being moved by the first means and a closed position at which the gate is at the second location and be neath the cup; and

means for moving the gate between the open and closed positions in response to received signals.

1 1. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the third means comprises:

a lid rake;

a hydraulic cylinder connected to the rake for moving the rake between an extended and a retracted position for contacting a lid at a second location and moving said lid into the chute in response to a received signal.

12. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fourth means comprises:

an element positioned beneath the outlet of the chute and being movable in response to a received signal for contacting and moving a filled container into contact with a lid in the chute for capping said container with said lid.

13. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 7, wherein the second means comprises:

a movable lid box table for supporting a plurality of lid stacks thereon;

a frame;

means for guiding the lid box along a preselected pathway relative to the first location;

hydraulic means connected to the lid box table for moving the lid box along the preselected pathway;

control means for actuating the hydraulic means and moving the lid box table along the preselected pathway in response to a received signal wherein the third means comprises a lid rake;

a hydraulic cylinder connected to the rake for moving the rake between the extended and a retracted position for contacting a lid at the second location and moving said lid into the chute in response to a received signal; and

. wherein the fourth means comprises an element positioned beneath the outlet of the chute and being movable in response to a received signal for contacting and moving a filled container into contact with a lid in the chute for capping said container with said lid.

14. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 13, wherein the lid table is indexed along the preselected pathway in response to a signal received in response to the vacuum cup descending to a selected elevation said apparatus additionally comprising;

a lid gate positioned at the second location, said lid gate being movable between an open position at which the gate is laterally spaced from a pathway of a cup being moved by the first means and a closed position at which the gate is at the second location and beneath the cup; and

means for moving the gate between the open and closed positions in response to received signals.

15. A method for automatically removing lids from a plurality of lid stacks and capping cartons with the lids, comprising:

moving a lid from a first location to a second location in response to a received signal A, said second location being at a higher elevation and above the first location; depositing the lid at the second location in response to a received signal 8;

indexing a lid stack to the first location in response to a received signal C;

moving a lid from the second location into a lid chute and moving lids along the chute in response thereto, said lid being moved in response to a received signal D; and

capping a carton with a lid from the chute in response to a received signal E.

16. A method, as set forth in claim 15, wherein said signal A is transmitted in response to a carton being capped with a lid from the chute and signal B is transmitted in response to closing of a movable lid gate positioned at the second location.

17. A method, as set forth in claim 16, wherein the lid gate is closed in response to moving a lid to a preselected elevation above the first location.

18. A method, as set forth in claim 15, wherein signa C is transmitted in response to a vacuum lid pickup cup descending to a preselected elevation at the first location.

19. A method, as set forth in claim 15, wherein signal D is transmitted in response to moving a lid to a preselected elevation above the first location and the lid chute being less than filled with lids.

20. A method, as set forth in claim 15, wherein signal E" is transmitted in response to a filled container being positioned at a capping station and the lid chute being filled with lids.

21. A method, as set forth in claim 16, wherein signal C is transmitted in response to a vacuum lid pickup cup descending to a preselected elevation at the first location;

vsignal D is transmitted in response to moving a lid to a preselected elevation above the first location and the lid chute being less than filled with lids; and

signal E" is transmitted in response to a filled container being positioned at a capping station and the lid chute being filled with lids. 22. A method, as set forth in claim 21, wherlen the lid gate is closed in response to moving a lid to a preselected elevation above the first location. 

1. An apparatus for automatically removing lids from a plurality of lid stacks and capping cartons with the lids, comprising: first means for moving a lid from a first location in response to a received signal ''''A'''' and depositing said lid at a second location in response to a received signal ''''B,'''' said second location being at a higher elevation and above the first location; second means for indexing a lid stack to the first location in response to a received signal ''''C;'''' third means for moving a lid from the second location into a lid chute and moving lids along the chute in response thereto, said lid being moved in response to a received signal ''''D;'''' fourth means for capping a carton with a lid from the chute in response to a received signal ''''E;'''' and means for transmitting said signals in response to preselected conditions.
 2. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the signal ''''A'''' is delivered to the first means in response to a filled container being capped with a lid from the chute and signal ''''B'''' is delivered to the first means in response to closing of a movable lid gate positioned at the second location.
 3. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the movable lid gate is closed in response to the first means moving a lid to a preselected elevation above the first location.
 4. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein signal ''''C'''' is delivered to the second means in response to a vacuum cup of the first means descending to a preselected elevation at the first location.
 5. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein signal ''''D'''' is delivered to the third means in response to the frst means moving a lid to a Preselected elevation above the first location and the lid chute being less than filled with lids.
 6. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein signal ''''E'''' is delivered to the fourth means in response to a filled container being positioned at a capping station and the lid chute being filled with lids.
 7. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first means comprises: a hydraulic cylinder having a movable plunger extending downwardly therefrom; an air valve having a movable selection plunger, said plunger being connected to the plunger of the hydraulic cylinder and extending downwardly therefrom; a vacuum cylinder connected to and extending downwardly from the air valve, said vacuum cylinder having a movable piston with a vacuum tube extending through and being sealably, fixedly attached to the vacuum cylinder piston and extending downwardly from the vacuum cylinder; a vacuum cup connected to the lowermost end of the vacuum tube and being in fluid communication therewith; means for passing fluid into and from the hydraulic cylinder for moving the hydraulic cylinder plunger; means for passing fluid into and from the vacuum cylinder for picking up a lid from the first location and depositing the lid at the second location; means for delivering a signal in response to the vacuum tube moving a lid to a preselected elevation; means for delivering a signal in response to the vacuum cup descending to a preselected elevation; and means for passing fluid into and from the vacuum cylinder for moving the vacuum tube therethrough.
 8. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second means comprises: a movable lid box table for supporting a plurality of lid stacks thereon; a frame; means for guiding the lid box along a preselected pathway relative to the first location; hydraulic means connected to the lid box table for moving the lid box along the preselected pathway; and control means for actuating the hydraulic means and moving the lid box table along the preselected pathway in response to a received signal.
 9. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 8, wherein the lid table is indexed along the preselected pathway in response to a signal received in response to the vacuum cup descending to a preselected elevation.
 10. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, including a movable lid gate positioned at the second location, said lid gate being movable between an open position at which the gate is laterally spaced from a pathway of a cup being moved by the first means and a closed position at which the gate is at the second location and beneath the cup; and means for moving the gate between the open and closed positions in response to received signals.
 11. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the third means comprises: a lid rake; a hydraulic cylinder connected to the rake for moving the rake between an extended and a retracted position for contacting a lid at a second location and moving said lid into the chute in response to a received signal.
 12. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fourth means comprises: an element positioned beneath the outlet of the chute and being movable in response to a received signal for contacting and moving a filled container into contact with a lid in the chute for capping said container with said lid.
 13. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 7, wherein the second means comprises: a movable lid box table for supporting a plurality of lid stacks thereon; a frame; means for guiding the lid box along a preselected pathway relative to the first location; hydraulic means connected to the lid box table for moving the lid box along the preselected pathway; control means for actuating the hydraulic means and moving the lid box table along the preselected pathway in response to a received signal wherein the third means comprises a lid rake; a hydraulic cylinder connected To the rake for moving the rake between the extended and a retracted position for contacting a lid at the second location and moving said lid into the chute in response to a received signal; and wherein the fourth means comprises an element positioned beneath the outlet of the chute and being movable in response to a received signal for contacting and moving a filled container into contact with a lid in the chute for capping said container with said lid.
 14. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 13, wherein the lid table is indexed along the preselected pathway in response to a signal received in response to the vacuum cup descending to a selected elevation said apparatus additionally comprising; a lid gate positioned at the second location, said lid gate being movable between an open position at which the gate is laterally spaced from a pathway of a cup being moved by the first means and a closed position at which the gate is at the second location and beneath the cup; and means for moving the gate between the open and closed positions in response to received signals.
 15. A method for automatically removing lids from a plurality of lid stacks and capping cartons with the lids, comprising: moving a lid from a first location to a second location in response to a received signal ''''A,'''' said second location being at a higher elevation and above the first location; depositing the lid at the second location in response to a received signal ''''B;'''' indexing a lid stack to the first location in response to a received signal ''''C;'''' moving a lid from the second location into a lid chute and moving lids along the chute in response thereto, said lid being moved in response to a received signal ''''D;'''' and capping a carton with a lid from the chute in response to a received signal ''''E.''''
 16. A method, as set forth in claim 15, wherein said signal ''''A'''' is transmitted in response to a carton being capped with a lid from the chute and signal ''''B'''' is transmitted in response to closing of a movable lid gate positioned at the second location.
 17. A method, as set forth in claim 16, wherein the lid gate is closed in response to moving a lid to a preselected elevation above the first location.
 18. A method, as set forth in claim 15, wherein signal ''''C'''' is transmitted in response to a vacuum lid pickup cup descending to a preselected elevation at the first location.
 19. A method, as set forth in claim 15, wherein signal ''''D'''' is transmitted in response to moving a lid to a preselected elevation above the first location and the lid chute being less than filled with lids.
 20. A method, as set forth in claim 15, wherein signal ''''E'''' is transmitted in response to a filled container being positioned at a capping station and the lid chute being filled with lids.
 21. A method, as set forth in claim 16, wherein signal ''''C'''' is transmitted in response to a vacuum lid pickup cup descending to a preselected elevation at the first location; signal ''''D'''' is transmitted in response to moving a lid to a preselected elevation above the first location and the lid chute being less than filled with lids; and signal ''''E'''' is transmitted in response to a filled container being positioned at a capping station and the lid chute being filled with lids.
 22. A method, as set forth in claim 21, wherien the lid gate is closed in response to moving a lid to a preselected elevation above the first location. 